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February 2014
Jesus in Love Newsletter
LGBT spirituality and the arts
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In This Issue
Top 10 stories
Russia spiritual art
RIP: 3 LGBT leaders
St Sebastian
Brigid and soulmate
Holocaust
Beloved disciple
David Kato
Jonathan and David


glbt spirituality & arts
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Vision statement

Jesus in Love supports lesbian, gay, bi trans and queer  (LGBTQ) spirituality, with an emphasis on art and literature. It promotes artistic and religious freedom and teaches love for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. It is based on these beliefs: God loves all people, including sexual minorities. The creative process is sacred. The queer visions, especially the gay Jesus and LGBT saints, will free people to experience the divine in new ways and lead to a more just world.

 

Jesus in Love was founded by lesbian Christian author Kittredge Cherry as her personal gift to the world.  

 

Today I am announcing the top 10 stories of 2013 at the Jesus in Love Blog. Readers appreciate the pioneering LGBT Christian art and info presented there.
Top 10 stories of 2013 announced
 
An artist's gay vision of Christ's Passion was the top LGBT spiritual arts story for 2013 at the Jesus in Love Blog, founder Kittredge Cherry announced today.

Perpetua and Felicity came in second place as patron saints of same-sex couples, followed by the Intimacy with Christ paintings of Richard Stott.

 

Others in the top 10 are: Ash Wednesday (queers burned for sodomy), LGBT Stations of the Cross by Mary Button, Sergius and Bacchus, Francis of Assisi research by Kevin Elphick, queer religious art resource list, St. Sebastian and the blasphemy debate on queer Nativity.  More info

(Credits: Detail from "The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision" by Douglas Blanchard and "Felicity and Perpetua" by Maria Cristina)

Spiritual art aids Russia's LGBT rights  

 

Artists are using spiritual imagery to draw attention to LGBT rights in Russia during the Olympics in Sochi this month.  

 

The holiness of the Russian struggle for LGBT equality is emphasized in two new artworks: "De Profundis" by queer British artist Tony O'Connell and "Postcard to Putin" by gay American artist Stephen Mead. More info 

 

(Credit: "De Profundis" by Tony O'Connell)

 

3 Recent deaths: LGBT church leaders


Three wel known LGBT church leaders died recently.  Click to read tributes to them at the Jesus in Love Blog:

Robert Nugent, co-founder of the Catholic New Ways Ministry

 

Otis Charles, first openly gay Episcopal bishop. Includes photo of him with Kittredge Cherry 

 

Mark Shirilau, archbishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Church and proud supporter of Jesus in Love

 

Saint Sebastian: History's first gay icon 

 

St. Sebastian has been called history's first gay icon and the patron saint of homosexuals. He was an early Christian martyr killed in 288 . He is the subject of countless artworks that show him as a near-naked young man being shot with arrows.  Little is known about his love life, so his popularity with gay men is mostly based on how he looks. More info 

 

(Credit: "Saint Sebastian" by Rick Herold) 

 

St. Brigid loved her female soulmate

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St. Brigid and her soulmate Darlughdach were 6th-century nuns who brought art, education and spirituality to early medieval Ireland. 

They were so close that they slept in the same bed. Brigid shares her name and feast day with a Celtic goddess.  More info

(Credit: "Saint Brigid and Darlughdach of Kildare" by Rowan Lewgalon and Tricia Danby)
Holocaust Remembrance:
We all wear the triangle

Jesus falls 1st time -  Nazis persecution

International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the victims of the Nazi era, including LGBT people. Nazi persecution of queers is matched with Jesus falling under his cross in a painting by Mary Button. Richard Grune, an artist sent to concentration camps for homosexuality, also made the connection in his 1947 series "Passion of the 20th Century." More info 

 

(Credit: Station 3 from "Stations of the Cross: The Struggle For LGBT Equality" by Mary Button) 

Beloved Disciple: The man Jesus loved

Jesus and Beloved Disciple by Laurie Gudim

Love between Jesus and his Beloved Disciple has been celebrated by artists since medieval times. And the idea that they were lovers has caused controversy since the 16th century. John the Evangelist is usually considered to be the unnamed "disciple whom Jesus loved" from the gospel of John. More info 

 

(Credit: "Jesus and the Beloved Disciple" by Laurie Gudim

David Kato: Ugandan LGBT rights martyr
David Kato by Rod Byatt

David Kato, Ugandan LGBT rights activist, helped launch Uganda's LGBT rights movement. He was beaten to death three years ago in a case that some blame on anti-gay religious rhetoric. More info

(Credit: "David Kato" by Rod Byatt)  

Jonathan & David: Love between men in the Bible
David and Jonathan window from Scotland
Jonathan fell in love with David in Biblical times.  Intense love between the two men is portrayed by artists old and new. The same-sex couple's powerful love story shows that gay relationships are affirmed and blessed by God.   More info    

 

(Credit: David and Jonathan window, St. Mark's Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland)    

33 gave to Jesus in Love in December

Kittredge Cherry with Christmas tree

Many thanks to the 33 people whose gifts made the Christmas and Year-End Offerings a success!  Click to see donors' names and comments.   

 

You can also give now for 2014.

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Click to see recent highlights from the Jesus in Love Blog this month:

 

Aelred of Rievaulx: Gay saint of friendship

 

Jeanne Manford: PFLAG founder who loved her gay son

Love will be celebrated this week on Valentine's Day. The holiday is inspired by the real-life St. Valentine who defied the unjust marriage laws of his day. Let there be love!

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